The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-26
sAll Efforts to Adjust the Trouble Fail. and
the Strikers Resolve to at Once Resort to
More Vigorous Measures
Employees of the Company in All Lines
of Work To Be Ordered Out To-Day.
The Strike Will Also Be Extended to the Lines
of the Johnsons in Brooklyn. Cleye-
land and st. Louis.

existence Of o strike among any of its employees.
AS far oEe could discern from outside APP
pearances the employer and employees were work
ing in harmony. The strikers did not make
themselves conspicuous nor seem to evince
much concern about the matter. With the
company's officers there hopefulness that
the difficulty would terminate by evening. and
this too prevailed to some extent among the
drivers who are out. But even the very San
gune on both sides recognized the
presence Of powerful condition. Some
progress had boon made towards a
settlement, but Colonel johnson and the execu-
tive committee of the district assembly still
differed on the essential point-the demand for
increase of wages. The strike became charge
of the Knights Of Labor representatives. and the
strikers waited the result. If the decision
should be to go back to work at the old wages
that would end the trouble; if not there re-
manned still further arbitration Three con-
ferences were held by the committee and Col
johnson in the morning. afternoon and at night.
At the first the Colonel, after several hours
discussion, agreed to remedy all matters of COM
plant grant two of the demands, one
to allow the men more time for meals and the
other to furnish whips and reduce the price on
uniform caps. but the third demand he refused to
grant That related to the increase of wages.
In the afternoon he still held to this position and
the executive committee thought the OILY con-
sequence could be the ordering out of all knights
of LKbor employed by the company. Colonel
Johnson's reason in not acceding to the demand
for two cents an hour advance was that no as
surance could be given that another strike for a
further increase would not occur "a scale
of wages shall be signed to continue
for year. two years, any time you may
WISH" the executive committee proposed. THAT
will not answer" replied Colonel johnson. II
have determined TO make no compromise con-
cession in regard to wages. / am willing to COM
ply with the demands of the men in every other
particular, but will not raise the wages. Rather
than do that will spend $4,000 in fighting this
strike"
The question rested in this way until evening,
when the committee met to decide on its ulti-
matum. Before preceding to the last resort.
the Colonel was notified that he
would be again visited for future conference.
About 10 o'clock last night, A. P. Wilson. Thos.
NJ. Gruelle, E F. Gould, and others of the exec
utive control of the district assembly, called at
the Denson House and Colonel johnson.
The conference did not continue half hour.
when the committee returned to the hall Of
Alpha Assembly. on East Washington street,
where the strikers, reinforced by other drivers,
Knights of Labor, waited to hear the decision
In less than five minutes after the committee
entered the room a ringing hurrah was heard
from the meeting 1t was the reception given to
she determination of the committee Colonel
J
TO respond to the demand for higher wages. The
committee decided that there was no to wait
upon the result of further conference, for it was
assured that Colonel johnson would not change
his mind until he realized what his refusal meant
In loss of travel, the crippling of his service
through tho want of men and the loss of money
Il was the opinion of the committee
that general strike should be ordered. and in
giving this official sanction two orders were is
sued, one to the Henry George and the other to
Wiletts Assembly, to call out all street-car en-
nj, those TODAY
all Knights Of Labor employed in the Citizens
Etreet-railway Companys shops and stables. in
painters road officers and drivers, will. be
dered out. From fifty to sixty will come under
this order. .sThey have got to come out go
OUT remarked q leading knight of Labor. 1t
;s the purpose of the executive committee to
carry the influence of the strike to Brooklyn.
ST. Louis and Cleveland in order to cripple the
roads in which Colonel Johnsons brother is in
terested, and in which the Knights claim that
the Colonel himself has large ownership After
reading these orders to the drivers speakers
couraged them to remain true to each and carry
the strike on for months if necessary .'You
will surely win,h said one of the speakers 'for
the sympathy Of the people is with you. Colonel
johnson now has met q foe that he cannot con-
quer"
done They feel that they have acquired
strength and formidable organization, which
thew needed sorey at the outset. Many proffers
of pecuniary and other assistance in providing
for the families of the strikers have been made.
d
knight s'the men have without appealing for
it. received $500 for their use" It is expected
that the knights, being thus called out, will in
fuence many who are not mem bers of the order
TO join the strikers
Before the meeting closed it was resolved tina.
ga great many of the street-car drivers being
sons of veterans and old soldiers, hereby
agree to turn out in body on May 80. to assist
in the memorial services and carry the United
States flag" Knights of Labor, generally, will
make a dem onstration on that day, In connection
vufth
by this to ges the veterans who
are not knights and are in the employ of the
street-car company to cease work a day when
the cars will be in unusual demand. The hope
is also entertained that the strike will so seri-
ously affect the company's interest that Colonel
johnson will be ready to come to terms before
the League baseball games are played here next
week.
While Colonel johnson is willing to concede
all claims but that relating to wages, he denies
many of the charges made against him by the
drivers in the m meeting on Tuesday night
he asserts that cheap whips were ordered to be
esed to save the mules from unnecessary beat
ings. and again claims that the caps are sold for
much less than they cost. :. The men had twelve
twentyfour and thirty-six minutes for meals.
but unfortunately the first man in had to take
the shortest time for this purpose. The next
day another man would come in first; SO
the twelve-minute rule worked IN rotation
and not against all alike. Each man in turn got
. chance to eat his dinner under the twenty
four and thirty six minutes rule. He denies
emphatically that he ever used his cane on any
0rlver OF otner ompioy0 lie claims that
ductors mean fewer cars. and, therefore longer
intervals, by which the citizens would be dis
commoded 1t Is his opinion that he has given
the city better streer-car service than it ever
had as whom he took charge the livestock
equipments had been greatly deprecated. The
cars ran regular schedule time yesterday,
and until 1896 o'clock at night.
Amuseznent Matters.
The entertainment which will be given at the
Grand Opera house tomorrow evening will
doubtless attract as many people be seat
ed unusual interest in the event has been
aroused by the ladies who have charge of the
rangements. They endeavoring to make the
entertainment the most enjoyable of the year,
and the programme which will DO presented will